Over 100,000 minimum wage earners in the Bicol Region will benefit from a PHP40 daily wage hike following the approval of Wage Order No. RBV-22 by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). This raises the minimum wage from PHP395 to PHP435 for all sectors.
The adjustment will be implemented in two tranches: on April 5 and December 1. However, small retail and service businesses with fewer than 10 employees and enterprises affected by disasters may apply for exemption. Barangay micro-businesses remain exempt under Republic Act No. 9178.
Additionally, around 316,784 full-time workers earning above the minimum wage may see salary adjustments due to wage distortion corrections at the enterprise level.
This increase comes after a deferment in November 2024, following Severe Tropical Storm Kristine’s impact on the region. The National Wages and Productivity Commission affirmed the order on March 14.
Domestic workers will also see an increase in wages under Wage Order No. RBV-DW-04. The 94,042 household helpers in Bicol will receive a PHP1,000 raise, bringing their monthly pay to PHP6,000. Of these, 19,607 are live-in workers.
In the Zamboanga Peninsula, Wage Order No. RIX-DW-05 grants an increase of PHP900 for 18,984 domestic workers. Once implemented, those in chartered cities and first-class municipalities will earn PHP5,500 per month, while others will receive PHP5,000.